Utah Valley convention center completes first major phase

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Construction on the Utah Valley Convention Center is not only on time but under budget, as announced at a topping ceremony Monday.

As the last piece of steel was ceremonially hoisted into place, speakers stated the construction of the building was indicative of the revitalization taking place in downtown Provo.

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Project Director, Troy Thompson of Okland Construction, speaks at the Topping Ceremoney for the Utah Valley Convention Center.
“For Provo City, this is a tremendous asset to our downtown area. It will contribute in ways that most of us can’t even comprehend today,” said Provo Mayor John Curtis. “I’m reminded over and over again by our residents: it’s about downtown. They want to see a vibrant downtown. And can you imagine a more important tool to a vibrant downtown than this convention center?”

 

Don Nay, Utah County associate public works director, has been involved in the construction of almost every building that is currently part of the Utah County inventory. Nay said this is the most significant building Utah County has ever built.

“This facility is going to have a real positive and real game-changing impact on the economy of Utah Valley,” he said. “The structure which we are here to celebrate today is one of the most technically complex and intricate assemblages of concrete and steel that has probably ever been built in Utah Valley.”

Nay also announced the construction of the building will be finished on time and for less than originally anticipated thanks to the incredible efforts of many involved in the construction.

Construction is scheduled to be complete Spring 2012, and finishing on time will be crucial since group bookings for use of the convention center have already begun to pile up.

Gary J. Anderson, Utah County commissioner, said the first booking is scheduled for April 18, and that is just the beginning.

“This is going to produce literally millions of dollars for this economy both in sales tax and economic benefits,” he said.  “I noticed three new restaurants I didn’t see last week, that are all positioning themselves to be around the convention center.”

Anderson said everyone in the valley should consider the convention center their own.

“You can tell how much it’s going to lend to the community by everyone who thinks its theirs … but it’s all of ours, this is Utah Valley’s,” he said.

 

 

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